How Will I Know The R.O. Is Removing The Dissolved Solids From The Tap Water?
Reverse osmosis (R.O.) is the gold standard for producing pure, low-TDS drinking water. But many Houston homeowners eventually ask:
“How do I know for sure that my R.O. is actually removing the dissolved solids?”
The good news is that R.O. performance is very easy to measure and there are clear signs that your system is doing exactly what it’s designed to do.
Here’s how to check, what to look for, and when to call for service.
1. Use a TDS Meter (The Most Reliable Method)
A TDS meter, or Total Dissolved Solids meter, measures the amount of dissolved minerals, salts, and contaminants in your water.
How to Test:
Take a sample of your regular tap water.
Take a sample of your R.O. water.
Compare the numbers.
What You Should See:
Houston tap water TDS: 150–400+ ppm
R.O. water TDS: 5–50 ppm depending on membrane age and system design
If your R.O. TDS is dramatically lower than your tap water, your system is working properly.
If the numbers start to creep up over time, your membrane or filters may need service.
2. Watch for Taste and Clarity Changes
High-quality R.O. water has a very clean, crisp taste.
If you notice:
Water tastes “flat,” salty, or metallic
Ice looks cloudy
Tea and coffee taste off
There’s visible residue in kettles or pots
…it may be a sign your R.O. membrane is no longer removing dissolved solids effectively.
Taste changes are often the first sign homeowners notice.
3. Check the Age of Your Filters and Membrane
R.O. filters and membranes have predictable lifespans:
Sediment filter: 6–12 months
Carbon prefilter: 6–12 months
R.O. membrane: 2–5 years (depends on water quality + softener use)
Post-carbon filter: 12 months
If your filters or membrane are overdue, they may not remove dissolved solids as efficiently as they should.
A system can still run with old filters, but not effectively.
In most Houston homes, we recommend having your filters changed every 6 months.
4. Monitor Water Flow or Production Rate
If your R.O. water is coming out:
Much slower than usual
Producing fewer gallons per day
Taking longer to refill the tank
…it may indicate:
A clogged membrane
A fouled prefilter
Scaling (especially if you don’t have a softener)
Low flow = reduced contaminant removal.
This is not the same as your tank needing to refill after being emptied.
5. Look for Scale or White Residue in Appliances
If dissolved solids are getting past your R.O. membrane, you’ll often see it show up in places like:
Electric kettles
Coffee machines
Humidifiers
Water bottles
Refrigerator ice trays
Any chalky, white, or powdery residue means dissolved minerals are still present and your R.O. may need service.
6. Have Environmental ProTech Perform a Professional R.O. Check
We test:
Tap water TDS
R.O. water TDS
Pressure
Membrane rejection rate
Flow rate
Filter condition
Autoshutoff valve function
Storage tank performance
Professional testing verifies that your R.O. is removing dissolved solids at the right efficiency and alerts you before performance drops.
Why Environmental ProTech
We’ve been installing and servicing R.O. systems in Houston for more than 30 years.
We understand the exact chemistry of Houston water: chloramines, hardness, dissolved solids, and more.
We know how to keep your R.O. running at peak performance.
Whether you need a membrane replacement, a filter change, a pressure adjustment, or a complete system checkup, we handle it quickly and correctly.
Call now to schedule service and we’ll test your system’s performance, check your TDS levels, and ensure your R.O. is removing dissolved solids the way it should.
A review from one of our customers…
PS. We have over 30 years experience in bringing clean water to the Houston Homeowners. Our reviews speak for themselves! If you want clean drinking water from your faucet, contact us at 281-495-4420 to schedule your free water test today.
Sources & Further Reading
Water Quality Association – Reverse Osmosis Technology
https://www.wqa.orgCDC – Home Water Treatment: Reverse Osmosis
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywaterU.S. Geological Survey – Dissolved Solids in Water
https://www.usgs.govEPA – Drinking Water Contaminants
https://www.epa.gov